NEW YORK -- The Washington Capitals are one victory away from eliminating the Rangers.

Does that give them extra advantage in today's sixth game at Madison Square Garden?

"I would think our guys would be a little more relaxed than them. There is a little bit more pressure on them," Oates said of the Rangers. "But obviously it's their building and that kind of neutralizes it a little bit. They're going to feel good in front of their own crowd.

"What we're going to talk about is a good start. We need a good start to get in the game."

He expects the Rangers to come out flying.

"Obviously we expect them to try and come harder," Oates said. "You don't know what that means. In their minds they're going to try to play really hard. If we're under control, maybe they'll give us an odd-man situation because of that. Maybe not. We just have to handle all the decision early to get into the game (until) the crowd quiets down after maybe five minutes. We can't give them any ammo."

Oates spoke about Capitals winger Troy Brouwer.

"To me he's one of our captains," Oates said. "He's probably been our most solid guy game in and game out all year long. I put him in every situation and he's been reliable. I think he's had a terrific year."

Brouwer's experience could helps the Caps this late in the series.

"In the playoffs? Sure," Oates said. "He's been there, he'd gone through that grind and he knows what that means. His position on the power play is vital to us."